Ready for this summer’s soccer smorgasbord that will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
You know I am. I’m ready for 48 teams from around the globe to take part in what will be an epic party spread across three nations, including the United States.
But let’s be real. There are teams that are better than others. Some will have a legit shot at winning it all. And some will just enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.Â
So now it’s time to rank all 48 teams. And remember, these are my power rankings. If you don’t like them, you can get your own.Â
Odds to win the World Cup: +250000 (48th)
Key player: Winger Derrick Etienne Jr. (Toronto FC)
Hey, when you’re at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up. This will be Haiti’s second World Cup and first since 1974.
Group C opponents: Scotland (June 13), Brazil (June 19), Morocco (June 24)
Odds to win the World Cup: +200000 (T-46th)
Key player: Midfielder Leandro Bacuna (IÄdır FK)
Curaçao is the smallest nation in the World Cup with a population of about 156,000. Size doesn’t matter ⦠until it does.
Group E opponents: Germany (June 14), Ecuador (June 20), Ivory Coast (June 25)
Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)
Key player: Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas UNAM)
Panama returns to the World Cup after missing out on 2022. It gets a brutal group against England, Croatia and Ghana. The Panamanians will be lucky to score a goal.
Group L opponents: Ghana (June 17), Croatia (June 23), England (June 27)
Odds to win the World Cup: +80000 (38th)
Key player: Striker Lyle Foster (Burnley)
South Africa is going to need a bigger vuvuzela to make an impact at this World Cup. It will have a big chance to shake things up in the opening match of the tournament against Mexico.
Group A opponents: Mexico (June 11), Czechia (June 18), South Korea (June 24)
Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)
Key player: Winger Ryan Mendes (IÄdır FK)
Cape Verde is an incredible story, but this team will be happy just to be involved in the World Cup and collect the gift bag.
Group H opponents: Spain (June 15), Uruguay (June 21), Saudi Arabia (June 26)
Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)
Key player: Striker Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
The Kiwis qualified directly from the Oceania region, which is the weakest confederation in international soccer. I’ll leave it at that.
Group G opponents: Iran (June 15), Egypt (June 21), Belgium (June 26)
Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)
Key player: Striker Ayman Hussein (Al-Karma)
The good news for Iraq: It’s back in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years! The bad news: The Iraqis will face France, Senegal and Norway in their group games.
Group I opponents: Norway (June 16), France (June 22), Senegal (June 26)
Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)
Key player: Forward Akram Afif (Al Sadd)
Qatar is back after scoring one goal and losing all three of its games as the host nation in 2022.
Group B opponents: Switzerland (June 13), Canada (June 18), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 24)
Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)
Key player: Defender Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City)
Almost the entire Uzbekistan team plays its club soccer in its home country, so I’m not expecting much from it this summer.
Group K opponents: Colombia (June 17), Portugal (June 23), Congo DR (June 27)
Odds to win the World Cup: +
